At One Senior Place Greater Orlando, we feel there is nothing more important than honoring and remembering the service of our veterans. As providers of advice and services to seniors, caregivers and those approaching retirement, we constantly come into contact with veterans and understand the critical role they play as mentors to our younger generations and individuals whose sacrifices have helped preserve our freedoms.

In order to pay tribute and celebrate these heroes, One Senior Place Greater Orlando and VITAS Healthcare, and Honor Flight Central Florida are hosting Every Day is Veterans Day on Friday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our offices in Altamonte Springs. FREE and open to the public, Every Day is Veterans Day has become a tradition at One Senior Place. Numerous veterans and military organizations will be represented, and the event will also feature a color guard, music, refreshments, door prizes, and important information for veterans.

The highlight of this special event is keynote speaker, Col. Danny R. McKnight, US Army (Ret.), who served in combat in Somalia in 1993 as an Army Ranger Battalion Commander. Tasked with capturing a renegade and violent warlord, Col. McKnight and his men (along with Delta Force special forces) were involved in intense fighting in the city of Mogadishu. At one point, they found themselves surrounded by thousands of well-trained Somali rebels and armed civilians while trying to protect fellow soldiers whose Black Hawk helicopter crashed after being hit by a rocket launcher.

This incredible event, retold in the book and movie Black Hawk Down, forms the basis of Col. McKnight’s presentation on commitment, leadership and achieving mission success. His story is a visceral portrait of war and testament to the strength of the human spirit during the worst possible circumstances, and one you do not want to miss.